<"! 


J 


■  /.  g 


REMARKS 


ON    A 


PARAGRAPH  IN  THE   REV.  DOCTOR  DAVIDSON'S  HISTORY  OF 
THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  KENTUCKY, 


IN    REFERENCE 


TO  THE  CHARACTER  OF  THE  LATE 


MR.  JOHN  LYLE, 

RULING  ELDER 

IN  THE  TIMBERRIDGE  CHURCH,  VIRGINIA, 


BY  RET.  ARCHIBALD  ALEXANDER,  D.D. 


Jprinttton,  33\  3. : 

PRINTED    BY    JOHN    T.    ROBINSON. 


1848. 


/ 


REMARKS 


ON    A 


# 


PARAGRAPH  IN  THE   REV.  DOCTOR  DAVIDSON'S  HISTORY  OF 
THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  KENTUCKY, 


IN    REFERENCE 


TO  THE  CHARACTER  OF  THE  LATE 


MR.  JOHN  LYLE, 

RULING  ELDER 

IN  THE  TIMBERRIDGE  CHURCH,  VIRGINIA, 


BY  REV.  ARCHIBALD  ALEXANDER,  D.D. 


$rinatcm,  Jf .  3. : 

PRINTED   BY   JOHN    T.   ROEINSON. 

1848. 


m 


L^ 


[from  THE  BIBLICAL  REPERTORY,  APRIL  1848.] 

Remarks  on  a  paragraph  in  tlie  Rev.  Doctor  Davidson's  Histo- 
ry of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  Kentucky. 

In  the  117th  page  of  Dr.  Davidson's  valuable  History  of  the 
Presbyterian  church  in  Kentucky,  unmerited  obloquy  is  cast  on 
the  memory  of  Mr.  John  Lyle,  the  elder ;  who  is  represented  as 
indulging  a  very  unchristian  spirit,  and  pursuing  an  unnatural 
severity  towards  his  son  John,  when  he  formed  the  purpose  of 
preparing  for  the  holy  ministry.  The  descendants  and  other 
friends  of  the  elder  John  Lyle  have  felt  aggrieved  on  account  of 
this  reflection  on  a  man  whom  they  have  always  heard  spoken 
of  with  respect  and  veneration.  They  have  therefore  felt  it  to 
be  a  sacred  duty  to  vindicate  from  undeserved  reproach,  the 
character  of  a  man,  whose  reputation  for  consistent  and  fervent 
piety  was  maintained  for  nearly  half  a  century  without  a  blot. 
And  as  I  am  one  among  the  few  persons  who  were  intimately 
acquainted  with  Mr.  Lyle,  who  still  survive,  I  have  been  reques- 
ted to  express  my  opinion  respecting  his  general  character,  and 
also  respecting  the  particular  charge  which  is  here  alleged 
against  him ;  which  I  feel  to  be  an  incumbent  duty  ;  as  I  have 
always  considered  myself  under  real  obligations  to  this  excellent 
man  for  his  wise  and  pious  counsels  when  I  was  young,  and  first 
entered  on  a  religious  life. 

The  friends  of  Mr.  Lyle,  senior,  after  correspondence  with  Dr. 
Davidson,  are  fully  convinced  that  the  paragraph  referred  to  was 
penned  with  no  unfriendly  feelings  towards  the  family  ;  and  that 
he  was  misled  by  information,  which  he  supposed  was  authentic. 
And  it  is  fully  believed  that  when  a  new  edition  of  his  valuable 
work  is  called  for,  that  he  will  either  expunge  or  alter  the  para- 
graph, by  which,  unintentionally,  he  has  done  injustice  to  one 
of  the  most  excellent  of  the  earth. 

Elder  John  Lyle,  as  he  was  commonly  called,  to  distinguish 
him  from  others  of  the  same  name,  was  in  my  opinion,  a  man  of 
eminent  piety.  In  the  period  succeeding  the  war  of  the  revo- 
lution, vital  piety  had  sunk  very  low  in  the  valley  of  Virginia. 
Most  professors  seemed  to  have  little  of  the  genuine  spirit  of 
religion ;  and  fell  into  undue  conformity  to  the  world,  and  its 
fashions  and  amusements.  But  during  this  time  of  general  de- 
clension, John  Lyle  and  his  wife  stood  forth  as  shining  examples 
of  vital  godliness,  and  holy  living.     By  many,  no  doubt  they 


were  thought  to  be  "  righteous  overmuch" ;  but  their  2eal  for 
God,  and  fidelity  in  maintaining  his  cause,  served  as  a  testimony, 
that  there  was  a  reality  in  religion ;  and  that  they  were  pursu- 
ing a  truly  Christian  and  consistent  course. 

When  the  revival  occurred  in  the  year  1789  it  was  like  life 
from  the  dead,  to  this  pious  couple.     They  greatly  rejoiced  in 
the  progress  of  this  gracious  visitation  of  God  to  his  desolate 
church,  and  were  animated  with  renewed  zeal  in  the  service  of 
God;  and  had  the  pleasure  of  seeing  two  of  their  own  sons 
brought  under  the  converting  influence  of  the  divine  Spirit. 
One  of  these,  their  first  born,  and  a  very  promising  young  man, 
was  called  away  just  when  he  was  preparing  to  enter  the  min- 
istry.    The  second  son  John,  was  possessed  of  excellent  mental 
endowments,  fully  equal  to  his  brothers ;  but  he  did  not  possess 
the  same  advantages  of  person  and  manners.    Mr.  Lyle  had 
made  great  exertion  to  give  his  oldest  son  a  liberal  education  ; 
and  had  never  thought  that  it  was  in  his  power  to  extend  the  same 
advantage  to  any  other  of  his  sons.     But  when  John  embraced 
religion,  his  views  were  uncommonly  clear,  and  his  religious 
feelings  very  ardent.     From  the  first  he  enjoyed  assurance  of 
the  divine  favour ;  and  was  led  to  entertain  a  strong  persuasion 
that  God  had  called  him  to  the  work  of  the  ministry.     People  of 
the  world  thought  that  he  was  enthusiastic ,  but  his  feelings, 
though  strong,  were  scriptural.     His  father,  at  first  hesitated — 
not  on  account  of  any  mental  or  bodily  defects — but  merely  be- 
cause he  did  not  see  how  he  was  to  get  the  means  of  support, 
through  so  long  a  course  of  study  as  would  be  necessary  to  enter 
the  ministry  in  the  Presbyterian  church.     What  conversation 
passed  between  the  father  and  son,  on  this  subject,  I  do  not  pre- 
tend to  know  ;  but  I  am  well  assured  from  the  character  of  the 
former,  that  whatever  he  said  or  did,  was  dictated  by  piety  and 
prudence.     And  as  soon  as  he  found  that  the  purpose  of  his  son 
was  fixed,  he  made  no  farther  opposition ;  but  encouraged  and 
assisted  him  as  much  as  his  circumstance  would  permit.     It  may 
be  remarked,  however,  that  the  mother  of  young  Lyle,  from  the 
beginning  was  in  favour  of  his  going  forward ;  and  being  strong 
in  faith  as  well  as  ardent  in  zeal,  said  "If  God  had  called  him  to 
the  work,  He  would  provide  the  means  for  his  education.''    I  am 
persuaded  that  no  il  bitterness"  or  unfriendly  feelings  were  ever 
entertained,  by  the  father  toward  his  son  ;  and  no  one  I  believe, 
rejoiced  more  in  the  success  of  his  son,  both  in  preparing  for  the 
ministry,  and  in  his  efficient  and  successful  exercise  of  the  sacred 
office,  than  the  father. 

As  a  faithful  and  efficient  elder  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  1 
have  never  known  his  superior,  if  I  have  his  equal.     He  had 


furnished  his  mind  by  diligent  reading,  with  knowledge  in  ali 
branches  of  theology;  and  was  especially  thoroughly  conversant 
with  the  most  judicious  and  spiritual  authors  on  experimental 
religion.  A.  ALEXANDER. 

The  following  letters  have  been  written  to  contradict  the  er- 
roneous statement  in  Doctor  Davidson's  History,  by  the  surviving 
children  of  elder  John  Lyle ;  but  before  these  are  inserted  it 
will  be  proper  to  insert  the  offensive  paragraph  from  Dr.  David- 
son's  History.  The  writer  had  just  before,  been  speaking  of 
Andrew  Lyle,  his  oldest  son,  in  the  most  laudatory  terms,  when 
he  introduced  John,  of  whom  his  description  is  by  no  means  ac- 
curate, as  will  appear  from  the  letters  of  his  surviving  brothers 
and  sister. 

"  John,  on  the  contrary,  had  been,  from  his  birth,  a  feeble  child, 
and  had  received,  in  his  infancy,  accidental  injuries  which  affect- 
ed his  appearance ;  and  being  very  taciturn  and  reserved,  none 
gave  him  credit  for  even  ordinary  intellect.  His  lengthened 
visage,  his  ungainly  form,  and  his  awkward  gait,  made  him  the 
butt  of  ridicule  in  the  family,  the  school,  and  the  neighborhood. 
His  father  could  not  bear  the  idea  of  his  entering  the  ministry; 
and  never  spoke  of  it  without  bitterness,  as  destined  to  disgrace 
the  family  by  a  certain  failure.  He  offered  to  leave  him  his 
farm  on  condition  of  renouncing  his  intention;  but  in  case  of 
persistence,  he  refused  to  extend  the  least  aid ;  and  true  to  his 
word,  even  after  the  death  of  his  promising  son  Andrew,  he 
never  gave  him  so  much  as  a  shilling.  John  inherited  all  his 
father's  pertinacity,  and  resolved  to  achieve  his  object  by  his 
own  exertions.  He  taught  a  country  school,  and  thus  procured 
the  means  of  a  liberal  education  at  Liberty  Hall.  While  in  col- 
lege, he  was  much  persecuted  by  the  looser  sort  of  students,  who 
were  addicted  to  gambling,  and  hated  piety ;  but  his  courage  and 
firmness  at  last  secured  his  peace." 

Paris,  Ky.,  June  16,  1847. 
The  Rev.  Dr.  Davidson, 

Dear  Sir :  In  your  "  History  of  Presbyterianism,  in  Ken- 
tucky," on  page  117,1  find  the  following  extracts  relative  to  my 

grandfather  and  uncle  Lyle 

I  believe  from  information  in  my  possession,  derived  from 
Dr.  Alexander,  of  Princeton,  and  my  father  of  this  vicinity,  that 
the  above  extract  casts  an  unjust  imputation  upon  the  memory  of 
my  grandfather,  whom  I  have  been  taught  from  my  youth  to 
regard  as  a  man  of  public  spirit,  of  just  and  honourable  princi- 
ples, and  of  devoted  piety. 


As  your  work  will  be  regarded  in  the  light  of  history,  1  beg 
to  know  on  what  authorities,  you  base  your  statements,  whether 
from  uncle's  diary  and  papers,  or  from  other  sources  of  informa- 
tion ? 

I  desire  a  full  avowal  of  your  authorities,  as  I  feel  interested 
in  knowing  and  having  known  the  truth  on  this  family  subject. 
A  speedy  answer  will  very  much  oblige, 
Very  respectfully, 

W.  C.  LYLE. 

New  Brunswick,  June  28,  1847. 
Sir  :  Permit  me  to  assure  you  that  nothing  has  been  further 
from  my  thoughts  than  to  cast  unjust  imputations  on  any  one,  or 
to  wound  the  feeling  of  any  relative,  in  the  publications  I  have 
made.  Surely  in  this  case  you  will  exonerate  me,  when  I  in- 
form you,  that  I  received  my  materials,  for  the  notice  of  your 
uncle's  biography,  from  his  widow  and  John  his  son,  residing  in 
the  Walnut  Hill  congregation,  whom  I  visited  for  the  purpose. 
I  still  have  in  my  hands  the  MS.  notes,  which  I  took  down  from 
their  lips.  Such  is  the  authority  on  which  I  made  my  state- 
ments, and  they  knew  the  purpose  for  which  I  desired  informa- 
tion. 

Very  respectfully, 

Yours,  &c. 

R.  DAVIDSON. 
W.  C.  Lyle,  Esq. 

My  father,  John  Lyle,  of  Rockbridge  county,  Va.,  was  in  lim- 
ited circumstances.  He  owned  no  slaves,  and  his  farm  had  to 
be  cultivated  by  his  sons — and  it  was  as  much  as  I  and  a  little 
brother  could  do  to  make  the  two  ends  of  the  year  to  meet.  My 
father  was  an  officer  of  the  church,  and  being  engaged  in  other 
public  business,  laboured  but  little  on  the  farm,  but  spent  a  great 
portion  of  his  time  in  visiting  the  different  congregations  in  the 
county,  and  attending  to  other  business.  He  educated  his  eld- 
est son,  Andrew,  for  the  ministry,  but  was  not  able  to  give  ano- 
ther son,  an  education,  in  justice  to  himself  and  family.  Brother 
John,  never  laboured  on  the  farm,  but  was  always  treated  as  a 
son  and  brother.  After  he  had  obtained  such  an  education  as 
qualified  him  to  teach  school,  he  by  that  means  paid  his  way  and 
succeeded  in  preparing  himself  to  enter  Lexington  Presbytery. 
During  all  this  time,  he  lived  a  part  of  the  time  at  home,  and 
when  engaged  in  teaching,  came  frequently  home  to  see  the 
family  and  to  enjoy  their  society. 

I  lived  during  the  time  at  my  fathers  and  managed  his  farm 


s 

for  him,  until  some  time  after  brother  John  left  for  Kentucky. 
I  do  not  recollect,  and  I  defy  any  one  to  prove  that  in  all  this 
time  he  was  treated  "  with  bitterness,"  or  opposed  in  his  studies 
or  wishes  by  my  father.  It  was  his  constant  wish  to  see  all  his 
children  pious  and  doing  well.  He  considered  the  office  of  the 
ministry  the  most  important  ever  bestowed  upon  any  human 
being,  and  was  therefore  far  from  throwing  obstacles  in  his  way, 
or  treating  him  with  roughness  or  inhumanity. 

I  never  knew  until  I  saw  it  in  print,  that  brother's  personal 
appearance,  "  made  him  the  butt  of  ridicule  in  the  family,  the 
school,  and  the  neighborhood" — nor  did  I  ever  hear  of  my  father's 
offering  him  his  farm,  on  condition  of  his  renunciation  of  his 
purpose  to  enter  the  ministry. 

After  brother  John's  removal  to  Kentucky,  he  twice  visited 
his  parents  in  Virginia,  and  they  made  him  presents,  while 
there,  and  sent  others  to  him. 

After  brother  John  married,  and  engaged  in  preaching  and 
teaching,  his  circumstances  were  favorable,  and'  my  father 
thought,  I  suppose,  for  I  had  removed  to  Kentucky — he  could 
not  do  better  than  to  divide  his  small  patrimony  among  his  other 
children — leaving  his  farm  to  brother  William,  who  remained  at 
home  and  supported  his  parents,  in  their  old  age,  and  requiring 
him  to  pay  small  legacies  to  his  other  children.  He  did  this,  no 
doubt,  without  having  the  least  dislike  to  brother  John. 

JOEL  R.  LYLE. 

Near  Paris,  Dec.  1847. 

Tipton,  Iowa,  Aug.  25,  1847. 

Dear  Nephew : — I  received  your  letter,  containing  extracts 
from  Dr.  Davidson's  "  History  of  Presbyterianism  in  Kentucky," 
in  which  are  several  statements  that  have  no  foundation  in  truth. 

That  brother  John  received  in  his  infancy,  accidental  injuries, 
which  affected  his  appearance,  is  not  true,  nor  is  it  that  there 
was  anything  in  his  appearance,  so  ridiculous  as  to  excite  the 
ridicule  "of  the  family,  the  school  and  the  neighborhood." 
He  was  naturally  taciturn,  and  reserved,  and  when  he  was  about 
17  years  old,  became  very  deaf  and  could  not  take  part  in  con- 
versation, except  it  was  in  a  louder  voice,  than  common,  and 
being  for  this  reason  sometimes  silent,  it  might  be  supposed  by 
those  not  well  acquainted  with  him,  that  he  was  very  reserved 
in  his  manners. 

The  writer  states  that  father  could  not  bear  the  idea  of 
brother  John's  entering  the  ministry,  and  never  spoke  of  it 
without  bitterness,  and  that  he  offered  him  his  farm  if  he  would 
renounce  his  intention,  and  if  he  persisted,  would  not  give  him 
a  shilling—every  word  of  which  is  false. 


8 

I  never  heard  my  father  say  any  thing  against  his  obtaining 
an  education  for  the  ministry,  and  I  know  he  aided  him  as  far  as 
his  means  would  permit,  for  he  was  a  farmer,  of  but  moderate 
circumstances.  He  was  willing  to  do  what  he  could,  and  fur- 
nished all  his  clothing,  and  paid  his  board  while  at  Liberty  Hall. 
I  think,  brother  paid  the  most  of  his  tuition  after  the  first,  by 
teaching  a  class  not  as  far  advanced  as  himself.  The  reason 
father  gave  for  not  leaving  him  anything  in  his  will,  was  that  he 
had  expended  in  his  education  as  much  as  he  could  leave  to  his 
other  children. 

Though  young  at  the  time,  I  believe  the  above  to  be  correct. 
Your  father  will  perhaps  know  more  of  some  of  the  statements, 
and  if  wrong  can  correct  mine. 

Yours,  &c. 

WM.  R.  LYLE. 

In  a  letter  addressed  by  Mrs.  Martha  McCutchen,  to  her 
nephew  at  Princeton,  N.  J.,  bearing  date  of  November  the  24th; 
1847,  in  relation  to  her  father,  Elder  John  Lyle,  she  writes  thus. 

"  He  was  very  often  sent  to  Presbyteries,  and  Synods,  and 
once  to  the  General  Assembly.  That  was  a  great  hindrance  to 
his  success  in  his  worldly  business.  When  Andrew  was  sixteen 
he  was  sent  to  a  classical  school,  and  father  paid  his  board  and 
tuition,  for  four  years,  which  was  as  much  as  he  was  able  to  do. 
Andrew  then  commenced  teaching  school,  to  enable  him  to  finish 
his  education.  About  this  time  John  embraced  religion,  and  re- 
ceived the  impression  that  he  had  a  call  to  preach  the  gospel, 
and  I  have  no  doubt  it  was  the  case.  But  how  could  he  be 
spared,  and  how  was  the  money  to  be  raised  to  pay  for  his  educa- 
tion ?  I  have  no  recollection  of  father's  opposing  him,  but  I 
have  no  doubt  he  felt  unable  to  do  much  for  him.  But  I  remem- 
ber of  hearing  mother  say,  that  she  thought  that  if  he  had  a  call 
to  the  ministry,  there  would  be  some  way  provided. 

"  John  came  twice  to  see  us  after  he  settled  in  Kentucky.  He 
was  then  in  very  good  circumstances  and  did  not  need  assistance. 
Father  had  four  other  children  to  provide  for,  which  accounts  for 
his  leaving  him  nothing  at  his  death. 

"  As  to  his  being  the  butt  of  ridicule  in  the  family,  it  is  entirely- 
false.  I  believe  he  was  ridiculed  by  some  of  the  people  of  the 
neighborhood.  And  some  of  his  relations  were  very  much  op- 
posed to  his  receiving  an  education. 

"  I  have  now  given  you  a  statement  of  the  facts  as  near  as  I 
can  recollect  them.  You  can  make  what  use  you  think  proper 
of  them." 


